Post-election violence continues

In continuing post-election violence in Malawi at the weekend, six people were badly wounded when police used live ammunition to disperse a group of demonstrators in the northern town of Rumphi. Media sources told IRIN on Monday that the demonstrators, supporters of the opposition coalition of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), were protesting against what they perceive as rigged election results that returned Bakili Muluzi, leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF), as president. “Some of the protestors were reportedly operated on to remove bullets from their bodies,” the sources told IRIN. They added that about seven people were arrested during the demonstration. Rumphi is the hometown of AFORD leader Chakufwa Chihana. Last weekend violence erupted in the northern town of Mzuzu following the release of the election results. Some 50 families identified as UDF supporters were forced to flee their homes. Meanwhile, the High Court case brought by the MCP/AFORD coalition to have the presidential elections nullified was postponed on Friday to 12 July. “The UDF requested the postponement to allow their lawyers to prepare a response to the opposition’s charges,” the media sources said. However, whichever way the court rules, it is possible that none of the parties would accept the judgement. “The opposition coalition is unlikely to accept a ruling in favour of Muluzi,” the sources noted. “Similarly, it is highly improbable that Muluzi’s supporters would accept a verdict that annuls their leader’s victory.”